What are the Different Types of Shower Doors?

What are the Different Types of Shower Doors?

When planning a bathroom remodel or shower door replacement, you’ll need to decide what kind of shower door you’d like. Choosing the right shower door for your bathroom affects both its functionality and style. To help you choose the best option for your bathroom, here are the differences between the most common types of shower doors.

Framed vs. Frameless Shower Doors

First, you’ll need to decide whether you want a framed or a frameless door:

• Framed shower doors: Framed doors come encased in metal or aluminum. They are typically more budget-friendly and easier to install, making them a great choice for remodels or smaller bathrooms. Framed doors also provide superior stability, ideal for larger or heavier shower enclosures.
• Frameless doors, on the other hand, consist only of glass panels with minimal hardware.  This creates a sleek, unobstructed look that can make your bathroom feel more spacious and luxurious. Frameless doors are also easier to clean as there are no frames to trap soap scum and mildew. Be prepared for a slightly heftier price tag and installation process, but the payoff in terms of aesthetics is undeniable.

Swinging vs. Sliding Shower Doors

Once you’ve decided on framed or frameless, you’ll need to choose the opening style of your shower door:

• Swinging shower doors: These doors hinge outwards from the doorway, offering a classic, user-friendly design. Available in both framed and frameless options, they can create a more open feel in your shower.
  
  Swinging doors do require some clearance in front of the shower to open comfortably. This might not be ideal for smaller bathrooms where space is limited.

• Sliding shower doors: Sliding doors glide along a track, making them a perfect space-saving solution for bathrooms with limited square footage. They’re also a good option for showers with narrow openings or unique layouts.
  
  Sliding doors might not offer the same wide entryway as swinging doors. Additionally, the tracks on the bottom of a framed sliding door can trap soap scum and hard water deposits if not cleaned regularly.

Other Types of Shower Doors

In addition to standard swinging and sliding doors, there are a few less common types to consider:

• Pivot doors: Pivot doors swing on a central hinge point embedded in the floor and wall. This allows for a wider opening than a swinging door without requiring additional clearance in front of the shower. Pivot doors can be a good option for small bathrooms where both swinging and sliding doors might be impractical.
• Barn Doors: These sliding doors utilize a rolling hardware system at the top, reminiscent of a barn door.
• Neo-angle doors: Perfect for corner shower enclosures, neo-angle doors consist of one or more panels that create a pie-shaped opening. They help maximize space utilization in bathrooms with a corner layout.
• Steam shower doors: Designed specifically for steam showers, these doors are typically constructed of thicker, tempered glass to withstand the high temperatures and humidity levels within a steam environment. They also feature special seals to prevent steam from escaping the shower enclosure.

At Dick’s Rancho Glass, our expert glass design team can work with you to select a stunning new glass shower door that suits your style, space, and budget. To begin exploring your shower door options, check out our shower gallery, contact us, or visit one of our two glass showrooms in the Sacramento region:

Dick’s Rancho Glass Sacramento at 2900 ROUTIER ROAD  Or call us at (916)363-6554

 Dick’s Rancho Glass Fair Oaks at 5349 SAN JUAN AVE.  Or call us at (916)863-2500